A-Musing: Automotive Reflections

Happy 2012!!!  To ring in the new year and help you save money, here are some of my personal tips to get better deals on service and maximize value from your preferred dealer:

1. If you bought a used car, choose a dealer and register your VIN with them.  By doing this, you’ll be on record, and when you go in for service, you may be notified of any potential safety-based recalls for your car and to be informed as to whether you have an extended warranty or not that can be transferable from the previous owner.
   
   
2. Sometimes it pays to decline their up-sells.  Be nice about it and say you’ll have the work performed later.  Some dealers will keep a record of your declined service, and to lure you back, will offer a 10%-15% off coupon on the recommended services in the mail.  Feel free to hold out to get this coupon, or straight-up ask them if you could get a 10-15% discount on the spot before you decide to go ahead with the work.  Most dealers will say yes to have your business. 
   
   
3. Once you’ve built a relationship with a dealer, don’t be afraid to ask for 10%-15% off parts and/or labour.  If you are a new customer, ask your dealer if there are any VIP programs, oil change punch card programs (i.e. buy 4 oil changes get the 5^th one free) or Preferred Customer programs where you buy a pre-paid card that entitles you to a parts discounts and includes a few oil changes plus "valet cleaning" car washes.
   
   
4. Try to coincide your tire rotation services (usually every 12,000 km to 15,000 km) with any brake work or brake maintenance, which is recommended once a year.  Most shops will not charge for tire rotation with brake maintenance since the wheels have to come off by default and put back on anyways.  Asking for a tire rotation with yearly brake maintenance can save you anywhere from $25-$50.
   
   
5. When expensive parts on your car needs replacement like brake calipers, exhaust components, certain filters, electrical parts like starter motors and alternators, don’t hesitate to ask the dealer or service facility if they can help you source cheaper aftermarket parts or used junkyard parts.  Most shops will be open to this option as they would not want to lose the potential labour revenue.  Most dealers will not usually offer the option of aftermarket parts due to potential fitment issues and the quality of some aftermarket components, making it hard to offer a warranty, but unless you're driving an ultra-exotic car, most aftermarket parts will do just fine.
   
   
6. If you bought a used car from a large dealer, ask your salesperson if he or his manager could give you one or two free oil changes.  Chances are, they will to help build a long-term relationship.